climb
Climb (verb) means to move upward, especially using effort — going up a hill, ladder, stairs, or rock face. Example: “They climbed the steep trail to reach the summit before sunset.”
How to Use Climb
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo go up something, either physically (a mountain, stairs) or figuratively (rising numbers, rankings).
Word Forms
climbed past tense, clomb past tense, clumb past tense, climb plural, climbed plural, clomb plural, climbs plural, climbs singular, climb singular, climbed singular, clomb singular, climbest singular, climbedst singular, climbeth singular
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
They _____ the steep trail to reach the summit before sunset.
Etymology
From Old English climban, "to climb," related to Old Norse and German words meaning to cling or stick — the same ancient root gave us "clay" and "glue," reflecting the idea of gripping something as you climb.
Related Words
Rhymes for climb
See all rhymes for climb →Frequently Asked Questions
What does “climb” mean?
The word “climb” means to move upward, especially using effort — going up a hill, ladder, stairs, or rock face. In plain terms, to go up something, either physically (a mountain, stairs) or figuratively (rising numbers, rankings).
How do you pronounce “climb”?
“Climb” is pronounced KLYM (/ˈklaɪ̯m/ in IPA).
How do you use “climb” in a sentence?
Here is “climb” used in a sentence: “They climbed the steep trail to reach the summit before sunset.”
What part of speech is “climb”?
Depending on how it is used, “climb” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “climb” come from?
The word “climb” comes from Old English. From Old English climban, "to climb," related to Old Norse and German words meaning to cling or stick — the same ancient root gave us "clay" and "glue," reflecting the idea of gripping something as you climb.
Is “climb” a common word?
“Climb” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “climb” have?
“Climb” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to move upward, especially using effort — going up a hill, ladder, stairs, or rock face.
What is the difference between "climb" and "ascend"?
Both mean to move upward, but "climb" often implies effort or using the hands, as up a hill, ladder, or rock face, while "ascend" is more formal and can describe smooth upward movement, as of a plane or lift. "Climb" is also common for numbers or prices rising.
What is the difference between "climb" and "clime"?
"Climb" is a verb meaning to move upward or to rise, while "clime" is a noun meaning a region or its climate. They sound alike but are unrelated; "warmer climes" refers to warmer places, not to climbing.
What preposition goes with "climb"?
"Climb up," "climb down," "climb over," and "climb into" are all common, with the preposition showing direction. You can climb up a ladder, climb down from a tree, or climb over a wall.
Can "climb" be used for numbers and prices?
Yes. Beyond physical movement, "climb" means to rise or increase, so prices, temperatures, and rankings can all climb. For example, "sales climbed sharply" means they went up.